CN212352916U

CN212352916U - Integrated additive manufacturing system and parts

Info

Publication number: CN212352916U
Application number: CN201890000631.5U
Authority: CN
Inventors: J.M.德西蒙; R.戈德曼; S.K.波拉克; R.刘
Original assignee: Carbon Inc
Current assignee: Carbon Inc
Priority date: 2017-03-15
Filing date: 2018-03-12
Publication date: 2021-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-12
Also published as: US20210187826A1; WO2018169821A1; US20200130266A1; WO2018169826A1; WO2018169824A1; CN212708031U; US11433613B2; US20230015768A1; US20200001536A1

Abstract

The utility model relates to an integrated additive manufacturing system and part. An integrated additive manufacturing system comprising: a processor; a data repository comprising a database configured to record part configuration data for parts produced by the integrated additive manufacturing system; an additive manufacturing machine configured to manufacture a part by additive manufacturing; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining a sequence of part images comprising instructions for additionally manufacturing a part on an additive manufacturing system; generating a unique identifier associated with the part; and modifying the sequence of part images to produce a fused sequence of images, the fused sequence of images including instructions for generating the manufactured part on the additive manufacturing machine, wherein the representation of the unique identifier is contained on or within the manufactured part.

Description

Integrated additive manufacturing system and parts

Cross Reference to Related Applications

Priority of U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/471,675 filed on 3/15/2017, U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/506,247 filed on 5/15/2017, and U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/596,952 filed on 12/11/2017, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to additive manufacturing, and in particular to methods, apparatus and systems for additive manufacturing in which a plurality of operations are performed in an integrated manner.

Background

It has been known for some time to produce three-dimensional objects from polymerizable resins by stereolithography (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,637 to Hull). Unfortunately, this technique has generally been considered too slow and is generally limited to producing resins that are only suitable as prototype fragile or fragile objects. A more recent technology, known as Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP), allows faster production of objects by stereolithography (see, for example, U.S. patent No. 9,205,601 to DeSimone et al) and production of parts with isotropic mechanical properties (see, r. janus ziewcz et al, Layerless fabric with continuous liquid interface production (Layerless fabrication with continuous liquid interface production), proceedings of the national academy of sciences usa 113, 11703-11708, 2016, 18 th). Together with a more recent introduction of various dual cure resins for stereolithography (in particular CLIP; see, for example, U.S. patent No. 9,453,142 to Rolland et al), these improvements enable the production of a wider variety of functional, useful objects suitable for real world use.

Current systems for additive manufacturing tend to be customized for prototypes-making a small number of models that can be used to decide whether to invest in a large number of manufacturing techniques like injection molding-rather than customized for the larger number of real world parts themselves. Accordingly, there is a need for new systems that enable the production of a larger number of functional parts by additive manufacturing.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Some embodiments of the utility model relate to an integrated additive manufacturing system, include: (a) at least one supply of resin; (b) a plurality of additive manufacturing machines on which parts may be produced, each of the additive manufacturing machines being operatively associated with at least one supply of resin; and (c) at least one peripheral machine operatively associated with each of the additive manufacturing machines and the at least one supply of resin.

In some embodiments, the at least one supply of resin comprises a single use (e.g., cartridge) supply of resin or a bulk supply of resin, each of which may be associated with any one or more of the additive manufacturing machines, and each of which may optionally include an automatic resin feed system configured to supply resin to one or more of the additive manufacturing machines.

In some embodiments, the at least one peripheral machine comprises: at least one post-production machine of parts, such as at least one of: part cleaning machines, part penetrant bath apparatuses (e.g., for dipping additional polymerizable components into the part after additive manufacturing but before further or subsequent curing), part ovens, part cutting, grinding, and/or texturing machines (e.g., sand blasting, milling, tumbling, etc.), part painting machines, or combinations thereof; and/or at least one maintenance machine configured to maintain or replace a component of an additive manufacturing machine, such as a build plate (or "window") cleaning machine (e.g., when the additive manufacturing machines each include an optically transparent build plate, they are configured to be releasably secured to the additive manufacturing machine).

In some embodiments, the at least one peripheral machine comprises a parts washing machine.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises: (d) a database operatively associated with each of the plurality of additive manufacturing machines, the database configured to record part configuration data for each part produced on each additive manufacturing machine.

The database may be further configured to contain resin-specific data for each of a plurality of different resins. The at least one supply of resin may comprise a resin container (e.g., a bulk container or a single use container) having the resin therein and a resin unique identifier (e.g., a barcode) operatively associated therewith, wherein the resin unique identifier is associated with the specific resin data of the contained resin. Each of the plurality of additive manufacturing machines may include a resin unique identification reader operatively associated therewith, and a resin reservoir configured to receive resin from a resin container. Each of the plurality of additive manufacturing machines may be configured to perform a part production process with the resin based on both the part configuration data (e.g.,. stl file) and the specific resin data.

Each of the additive manufacturing machines may comprise a releasable carrier plate on which the part is produced from the resin, wherein each of the carrier plates has a carrier plate unique identifier (e.g. NFC tag) operatively associated therewith. The database may further be configured to record both the part configuration data and the resin data, and optionally but preferably the production time, for each part produced on each carrier plate. The parts washing machine may include a carrier plate unique identification reader operatively associated therewith. The parts washing machine may be configured to wash parts based on: (i) the part configuration data, (ii) the specific resin data, or (iii) both the part configuration data and the specific resin data select and perform a part cleaning process on each part from a plurality of different part cleaning processes (optionally but preferably, while each part remains on a carrier plate on which the part is produced). The database may optionally but preferably be configured to record cleaning process data, and optionally but preferably cleaning time, for each part cleaned in the parts cleaning machine.

In some embodiments, at least one of the peripheral machines (e.g., a parts washing machine) is configured to releasably secure the carrier plate.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises: (e) a furnace operatively associated with each additive manufacturing machine. The oven may optionally be configured to be based on: (i) part configuration data, (ii) specific resin data, or (iii) both part configuration data and specific resin data, a baking process is selected and performed for each part from a plurality of different baking processes (optionally but preferably, while each part remains on a carrier plate on which the part is produced). The database may optionally but preferably be configured to record baking process data, and optionally but preferably baking time, for each part baked in the oven.

In some embodiments, each of the additive manufacturing machines is configured to apply a part unique identifier (e.g., an alphanumeric identifier) to each part produced thereon. The database may be further configured to record part unique identifications from each of the additive manufacturing machines.

In some embodiments, each of the additive manufacturing machines comprises a replaceable build plate, wherein the build plate comprises an optically transparent member and a build plate unique identification (e.g., a second NFC tag). Each of the plurality of additive manufacturing machines may also include a build plate unique identification reader. The database may be further configured to record build plate data for each part produced on each of the plurality of additive manufacturing machines.

Some other embodiments of the present invention relate to an integrated method for producing and cleaning parts by additive manufacturing, the method comprising: (a) providing a manufacturing system comprising a plurality of additive manufacturing machines operatively associated with a parts washing machine, wherein the parts washing machine is configured to perform a plurality of different washing procedures; (b) generating at least one part on each of a plurality of additive manufacturing machines to produce a batch of parts to be cleaned, each part in the batch produced from resin and according to the part configuration data, and wherein each part has residual resin thereon; and (c) washing each of the plurality of parts in the parts washing machine with the same wash liquid in a plurality of successive wash programs for each part, based on: (i) part configuration data, (ii) specific resin data, or (iii) both part configuration data and specific resin data; (d) optionally, but preferably in some embodiments, each of the plurality of parts is secured as a first part to a respective additional part to form a composite article of each thereof; and then, (e) optionally but preferably, further curing (e.g., by heating) each of the plurality of parts.

In some embodiments, each part is produced in step (b) on a carrier platform that includes a carrier unique identifier (e.g., a barcode, NFC tag, or RFID tag), and each washing step is performed with the part on the carrier platform on which the part is produced, and the washing program is configured or selected based on information associated with the carrier unique identifier.

In some embodiments, each of the successive cleaning procedures for each part is performed in a total time of no more than 1,2, 5, or 10 minutes. In some embodiments, each cleaning procedure for each part is performed in the following sequence: (i) agitating (e.g., rotating) the part in the cleaning liquid, (ii) separating or draining the cleaning liquid from the part, (iii) agitating (e.g., rotating) the part to break free of the cleaning liquid to further separate the residual resin; and (iv) optionally but preferably, repeating steps (i) to (iii) at least once, all optionally but preferably in the same vessel, and all optionally with the same wash liquid.

In some embodiments, the residual resin has a boiling point of at least 90 or 100 ℃ (e.g., up to 250 or 300 ℃ or more), and the cleaning liquid has a boiling point from 30 ℃ to 80 or 90 ℃.

In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid includes an organic solvent (e.g., a halogenated organic solvent, such as a fluorinated organic solvent, a siloxane solvent, etc.). The organic solvent may comprise an azeotrope comprising at least a first organic solvent (e.g., a hydrofluorocarbon solvent, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon solvent, a hydrochloroether solvent, a methyl siloxane solvent, or a combination thereof; e.g., in an amount of from 80 or 85 to 99 percent by weight) and a second organic solvent (e.g., a C1-C4 or C6 alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, tert-butanol, etc.; e.g., in an amount of from 1 to 15 or 20 percent by weight).

In some embodiments, the method comprises: recording at least one, any combination, or all of: a type of cleaning liquid, a batch of cleaning liquid, a cleaning liquid usage history, a cleaning day, a time of cleaning day, a cleaning machine identity, a cleaning liquid temperature, a cleaning program, an interval between additive production and cleaning, and/or a cleaning machine operator associated with each part (e.g., via a unique identifier on or associated with each part, and a unique identifier reader associated with the part cleaning machine).

Some other embodiments of the present invention relate to an integrated method for producing and baking a part by additive manufacturing, the method comprising: (a) providing a manufacturing system comprising a plurality of additive manufacturing machines operatively associated with an oven and optionally a parts washing machine, wherein the oven is configured to perform a plurality of different baking procedures; (b) generating at least one part on each of a plurality of additive manufacturing machines to produce a batch of parts to be optionally cleaned, each part in the batch produced from a resin and according to the part configuration data; (c) selectively washing each of the plurality of parts in the parts washing machine; (d) optionally, but preferably in some embodiments, each of the plurality of parts is secured as a first part to a respective additional part to form a composite article of each thereof; and then (e) sequentially or simultaneously baking each of the plurality of parts in the oven, wherein each of the parts is baked according to a baking program selected or configured based on (i) the part configuration data, (ii) the specific resin data, or (iii) both the part configuration data and the specific resin data.

In some embodiments, the step of cleaning each of the plurality of parts is included and is performed with the same cleaning liquid according to a plurality of successive cleaning procedures for each part, based on: (i) part configuration data, (ii) specific resin data, or (iii) both part configuration data and specific resin data.

In some embodiments, the oven comprises a batch (batch) oven (optionally including a lockout assembly and/or an alarm, and the baking step optionally further comprises locking the oven for the duration of the baking program, and/or activating the alarm when the oven deviates from the baking program).

In some embodiments, the oven comprises a continuous process (e.g., conveyor) oven (optionally including a temperature monitor, and the oven optionally including a shutdown and/or alarm configured to operate when the oven deviates from the toasting program).

In some embodiments, the method comprises: recording at least one, any combination, or all of the following: oven identity, baking program, baking date, time of baking date and/or oven operator, interval between additive production and baking and/or interval between cleaning and baking and/or cleaning machine operator associated with each part (e.g., by a unique identifier on or associated with each part, and a unique identifier reader associated with the oven).

Some other embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of tracking a part produced from a resin, comprising: (a) providing a database comprising resin data, the resin data comprising: (i) at least one resin type data, and (ii) resin batch data for each of a plurality of batches for each resin type; (b) producing a plurality of parts from one resin type and according to part configuration data (e.g.,. stl file) by a part production process using at least one additive manufacturing machine, each of the parts having a part unique identifier applied thereto; (c) a part record is generated in the database for each of the parts, the part record including resin type data, resin batch data, part production process data, and a part unique identifier, the part record optionally including or excluding part configuration data.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of: (d) each part is cleaned in the cleaning machine with a cleaning liquid according to a cleaning cycle, and cleaning cycle data and cleaning liquid data are added to each part record for each part cleaned.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of: (f) baking each part in the oven according to a bake cycle, and adding bake cycle data to each part record for each part baked.

In some embodiments, the method includes generating a report from a database for at least one selected part based on the part unique identification, the report including, for each selected part, at least one, or any combination or all of: (i) resin type data, resin batch data, resin manufacturer identity; and/or (ii) part configuration data, part production program data, part production machine identity, build plate identity, part production time, spacing between resin manufacture and part production, spacing between resin dispense (and/or blend, e.g., for dual precursor resins) and part production, part production machine operator identity; and/or (iii) cleaning program data, cleaning liquid batch, cleaning machine identity, cleaning time, interval between production time and cleaning time, cleaning machine operator identity; and/or (iv) baking program data, baking time, oven identity, interval between cleaning and baking, interval between additive production and baking, and/or oven operator identity.

In some embodiments, the method comprises: generating reports from a database for all parts that share the same at least one of the following, or any combination or all thereof: (i) resin type data, resin batch data, resin manufacturer identity; and/or (ii) part configuration data, part production program data, part production machine identity, build plate identity, part production time, spacing between resin manufacture and part production, spacing between resin dispense (and/or blend, e.g., for dual precursor resins) and part production, part production machine operator identity; and/or (iii) cleaning program data, cleaning liquid batch, cleaning machine identity, cleaning time, interval between production time and cleaning time, cleaning machine operator identity; and/or (iv) baking program data, baking time, oven identity, interval between cleaning and baking, interval between additive production and baking, and/or oven operator identity.

Also described herein is a method of making a composite article by additive manufacturing, the method comprising: (a) producing the first part from the dual cure resin by additive manufacturing (e.g. by stereolithography, preferably by continuous liquid interface production); (b) cleaning the first part with a solvent (e.g., an organic solvent); then (c) securing the first part to the additional part to form a composite article; and then (d) further curing the composite article, preferably by baking, wherein the first part and the additional part are pressed against each other with a force sufficient to bond each to the other during the further curing step.

Some other embodiments of the present invention relate to an integrated additive manufacturing system, comprising: a processor; a data repository comprising a database configured to record part configuration data for parts produced by the integrated additive manufacturing system; an additive manufacturing machine configured to manufacture a part by additive manufacturing; and a memory coupled to the processor and including computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining a sequence of part images comprising instructions for additive manufacturing a part on an additive manufacturing system; generating a unique identifier associated with the part; and modifying the sequence of part images to produce a fused sequence of images that includes instructions for generating the manufactured part on the additive manufacturing machine, wherein the representation of the unique identification is contained on or within the manufactured part.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier comprises alphanumeric characters and/or symbols.

In some embodiments, the operations further comprise: obtaining a sequence of unique signature images comprising instructions for additive manufacturing a representation of a unique signature on an additive manufacturing system; and modifying the sequence of part images to produce a fused sequence of images, including fusing the sequence of part images with the sequence of unique identification images.

In some embodiments, the operations further comprise storing the unique identifier in a database.

In some embodiments, the operations further comprise fabricating the part on an additive manufacturing machine using the fused sequence of images.

In some embodiments, the operations further comprise storing part configuration data associated with the manufacture of the part in a database.

In some embodiments, the part configuration data associated with the manufacture of the part in the database includes resin data associated with a resin used to manufacture the part.

In some embodiments, the system includes a camera configured to optically capture a unique identifier on or contained within the manufactured part.

In some embodiments, the system includes a parts washing machine, and the parts washing machine is configured to select a washing program for a manufactured part based on a unique identification associated with the part.

In some embodiments, the part configuration data contained in the database also includes cleaning data associated with a cleaning program used by the part cleaning machine.

In some embodiments, the system includes a curing machine, and the curing machine is configured to select a curing program for the manufactured part based on the unique identification associated with the part.

In some embodiments, the part configuration data contained in the database also includes curing data associated with a curing program used by the curing machine.

In some embodiments, the manufactured part is a first manufactured part, the fused image sequence is a first fused image sequence, the unique identifier is a first unique identifier, and the operations further comprise: generating a second unique identifier associated with the part; and modifying the sequence of part images to produce a second fused sequence of images different from the first fused sequence of images, the second fused sequence of images including instructions for generating a second manufactured part on the additive manufacturing machine, wherein the representation of the second unique identification is contained on or within the second manufactured part.

In some embodiments, the operations further comprise: associating a build plate identity of a build plate used to manufacture a part with a unique identifier associated with the part; and storing the build plate identity in a database.

Also described herein are parts manufactured using the integrated additive manufacturing system of the embodiments described herein.

Also described herein are manufactured parts that include an additive manufactured portion, wherein the additive manufactured portion includes a unique identifier structurally incorporated into the additive manufactured portion.

Some other embodiments of the present invention relate to an integrated method for manufacturing a part by additive manufacturing, the method comprising: obtaining a sequence of part images comprising instructions for additive manufacturing a part on an additive manufacturing system; generating a unique identifier associated with the part; and modifying the sequence of part images to produce a fused sequence of images that includes instructions for generating the manufactured part on the additive manufacturing system, wherein the representation of the unique identification is contained on or within the manufactured part.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: obtaining a sequence of unique signature images comprising instructions for additive manufacturing a representation of a unique signature on an additive manufacturing system; and modifying the sequence of part images to produce a fused sequence of images, including fusing the sequence of part images with the sequence of unique identification images.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises storing the unique identifier in a database of the additive manufacturing system.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises manufacturing the part on an additive manufacturing system using the fused sequence of images.

In some embodiments, the method further includes storing part configuration data associated with the manufacture of the part in a database.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises optically capturing with a camera of the additive manufacturing system a unique identifier contained on or within the manufactured part.

In some embodiments, the method further includes selecting a cleaning program for a part cleaning machine of the additive manufacturing system for the part based on the unique identification associated with the part.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises selecting a curing program of a curing machine of the additive manufacturing system for the part based on the unique identification associated with the part.

In some embodiments, the part configuration data contained in the database further includes curing data associated with a curing program used by the curing machine.

In some embodiments, the manufactured part is a first manufactured part, the fused image sequence is a first fused image sequence, the unique identifier is a first unique identifier, and the method further comprises: generating a second unique identifier associated with the part; and modifying the sequence of part images to produce a second fused sequence of images different from the first fused sequence of images, the second fused sequence of images including instructions for generating a second manufactured part on the additive manufacturing machine, wherein the representation of the second unique identification is contained on or within the second manufactured part.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: associating a build plate identity of a build plate used to manufacture a part with a unique identifier associated with the part; and storing the build plate identity in a database.

Other aspects of the invention are explained in more detail in the figures herein and the description below. The disclosures of all U.S. patent references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Drawings

Figure 1A schematically illustrates one embodiment of a process of the present invention.

Fig. 1B schematically shows a part of a second embodiment of the process of the invention, which is similar to the embodiment of fig. 1A, but now comprises a fixing (fixing) station.

Figure 2A lists one example of the various different resin types that may be recorded when performing the present invention.

Fig. 2B lists one example of resin batch data that may be recorded while performing the present invention.

Fig. 2C lists one example of resin dispense data that may be recorded while performing the present invention.

Fig. 3 lists one example of additive manufacturing production data that may be recorded when performing the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a flow diagram schematically illustrating one process of assigning and generating an individual object with a unique identification for the object by additive manufacturing.

Fig. 4B is a flow diagram of the particular embodiment of fig. 4A.

Fig. 5 is a non-limiting example of different wash program options that may be performed and recorded in the present invention.

Fig. 6 lists one example of cleaning step data that may be recorded while performing the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a non-limiting example of various other curing (baking) program options that may be performed and recorded in the present invention.

Fig. 8 lists one example of curing step data that may be recorded while performing the present invention.

Fig. 9A schematically illustrates one embodiment of an integrated system of the present invention.

Fig. 9B is a detailed view of portion 'a' of fig. 9A, shown in phantom, further illustrating the oxygen supply and the air pressure sensing/atmospheric pressure sensing features.

Fig. 10 schematically shows a second embodiment of the integrated system of the invention.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a plurality of integrated systems further integrated with each other in one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates one example of a tracking report of an object generated in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates one example of a fixing station of the present invention, wherein pre-formed parts are fixed or joined to the additively manufactured parts before or after washing, preferably after washing, and preferably before heat curing the additively manufactured parts in an oven.

Figure 14 schematically illustrates one example of an automated support removal station suitable for use with the system of the present invention in which a tool mounted on a robotic arm removes a support based on the known location and characteristics of those supports.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups, or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all possible combinations or one or more of the associated listed items, and no combination exists when interpreted as an alternative ("OR").

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and claims and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," attached to, "" connected to, "coupled with," "contacting" another element, etc., it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with and/or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, "directly on," "directly attached to," "directly connected to," "directly coupled with," or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that references to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

For convenience of description, spatially relative terms such as "below …," "below … …," "below," "above … …," "above," and the like may be used herein to describe an element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below …" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upwardly," "downwardly," "vertical," "horizontal," and the like are used herein for explanatory purposes only, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer and/or section from another element, component, region, layer and/or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The order of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or figures unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Polymerizable liquid (resin).

Many resins for additive manufacturing are known and may be used in performing the present invention. See, for example, U.S. patent No. 9,205,601 to DeSimone et al. Indeed, it is a feature of the present invention to provide for the possible use of different resins in a single additive manufacturing system.

In some embodiments, the additive manufacturing step is formed from a dual cure resin. Such resins are described in, for example, PCT application PCT/US2015/036893 (see also U.S. patent application publication No. US 2016/0136889), PCT/US2015/036902 (see also U.S. patent application publication No. US 2016/0137838), PCT/US2015/036924 (see also U.S. patent application publication No. US 2016/016077), and PCT/US2015/036946 (see also U.S. patent No. 9,453,142), to j, rowland et al.

The resin may be in any suitable form, including "one pot" resins and "two precursor" resins (in which the cross-reactive components are packaged separately).

Specific examples of suitable resins include, but are not limited to, rigid polyurethane Resin (RPU), flexible polyurethane resin (FPU), elastomeric polyurethane resin (EPU), cyanate ester resin (CE), epoxy resin (EPX), or urethane methacrylate resin (UMA) from Carbon corporation, inc. of manow city, 94063, california, usa.

It is noted that in some embodiments employing a "dual cure" polymerizable resin, the part may be contacted with a penetrant liquid after manufacture, wherein the penetrant liquid carries additional components of the dual cure system, such as reactive monomers, into the part for participation in subsequent curing.

Additive manufacturing methods and apparatus.

The three-dimensional intermediate to be cleaned is preferably formed from a polymerizable resin by additive manufacturing (typically bottom-up or top-down additive manufacturing commonly referred to as stereolithography). Such methods are known and described in, for example, Hull, U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,637, Lawton, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,391,072 and 5,529,473, John, U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,846, Shkolnik, U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,474, El-Siblani, U.S. Pat. No. 8,110,135, Joyce, U.S. Pat. application publication No. 2013/0292862, Chen et al, U.S. patent application publication No. 2013/0295212 to Chen et al, and One-step volume additive manufacturing of complex polymer structures, Science Advances (scientific Advances) (published 12.2017). The disclosures of these patents, applications, and publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In general, top-down three-dimensional fabrication is performed by:

(a) providing a polymerizable liquid reservoir having a carrier and a polymerizable liquid fill level positioned in the reservoir, the carrier and fill level defining a build region therebetween;

(b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid (i.e., a resin) comprising a mixture of: (i) a light (typically ultraviolet) polymerizable liquid first component and (ii) a second curable component of a dual cure system; and then

(c) The method comprises irradiating the build region with light to form a solid polymer scaffold from the first component, and advancing (typically lowering) the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate body having the same shape as or to be imparted to the three-dimensional object and comprising said second solidifiable component (e.g. a second reactive component) in unsolidified and/or uncured form carried in the scaffold.

According to known techniques, a wiper blade, or an optically transparent (rigid or flexible) window may optionally be provided at the fill level to facilitate leveling of the polymerizable liquid. In the case of an optically transparent window, the window provides a build surface against which a three-dimensional intermediate is formed, similar to build surfaces in bottom-up three-dimensional fabrication as discussed below.

In general, bottom-up three-dimensional fabrication is performed by:

(a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and build surface defining a build region therebetween;

(b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid (i.e., a resin) comprising a mixture of (i) a light (typically ultraviolet) polymerizable liquid first component and (ii) a second curable component of a dual cure system; and then

(c) Irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymeric scaffold from the first component, and advancing (typically ascending) the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate body having the same shape as or a shape to be imparted to the three-dimensional object and comprising the second solidifiable component (e.g., the second reactive component) in unset and/or uncured form carried in the scaffold.

In some embodiments of bottom-up or top-down three-dimensional fabrication as implemented in the context of the present invention, the build surface is stationary during formation of the three-dimensional intermediate; in other embodiments of bottom-up three-dimensional fabrication as implemented in the context of the present invention, the build surface is typically repeatedly tilted, slid, flexed, and/or peeled off and/or otherwise displaced or released from the growing three-dimensional intermediate during formation of the three-dimensional intermediate.

In some embodiments of bottom-up or top-down three-dimensional fabrication as performed in the context of the present invention, during some, a substantial portion, or all of the fabrication of the three-dimensional intermediate, the polymerizable liquid (or resin) is maintained in liquid contact with both the growing three-dimensional intermediate and the build surface during both the filling and irradiating steps.

In some embodiments of bottom-up or top-down three-dimensional fabrication as performed in the context of the present invention, the grown three-dimensional intermediate is fabricated in a layer-less manner (e.g., by patterning multiple exposures or "slices" of actinic radiation or light) during at least a portion of the formation of the three-dimensional intermediate.

In some embodiments of bottom-up or top-down three-dimensional fabrication as performed in the context of the present invention, the growing three-dimensional intermediate is fabricated in a layer-by-layer manner (e.g., by patterning multiple exposures or "slices" of actinic radiation or light) during at least a portion of its formation.

In some embodiments employing bottom-up or top-down three-dimensional fabrication of a rigid or flexible optically transparent window, a lubricant or immiscible liquid can be provided between the window and a polymerizable liquid (e.g., a fluorinated fluid or oil such as a perfluoropolyether oil).

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that in some embodiments of bottom-up or top-down three-dimensional fabrication as performed in the context of the present invention, a grown three-dimensional intermediate is fabricated in a layer-less manner during formation of at least a portion thereof, and the same grown three-dimensional intermediate is fabricated in a layer-by-layer manner during formation of at least one other portion thereof. Thus, the mode of operation may change once between layerless fabrication and layerwise fabrication or at multiple times as required by operating conditions such as part geometry.

In some embodiments, the intermediate is formed by Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP). In, for example, PCT application number PCT/US2014/015486 (published as U.S. patent number 9,211,678 on 12/15/2015); PCT/US2014/015506 (also disclosed as U.S. patent No. 9,205,601 on day 8 at 12/2015), PCT/US2014/015497 (also disclosed as U.S. patent No. 9,216,546 on day 22 at 12/2015), a. emoshkin et al, Three-dimensional printing with reciprocal feeding of polymerizable liquid, PCT/US2015/195924 (also disclosed as U.S. patent application publication No. US 2017/0173871 on day 22 at 6/2017); CLIP is known and described in Sun et al, Science of three dimensional Objects with multiple operating modes, PCT/US2016/140886 (also published as US patent application publication No. US20180022034, 25.1.2018), and J.Tumbleston, D.Shirvanyantus, N.Ermoshkin et al, Continuous liquid interface production of 3D Objects, Science 347, 1349-1352 (published online 3.16.2015.). In some embodiments, CLIP employs features fabricated in bottom-up three-dimensional fashion as described above, while also maintaining a stable or continuous liquid interface between the growing object and the build surface or window while performing the irradiating and/or advancing steps, such as by: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining and in contact with each of a gradient of polymerization zone (such as an active surface) between the dead zone and the solid polymer, the gradient of polymerization zone comprising the first component in partially cured form. In some embodiments of the CLIP, the optically transparent member comprises a semipermeable member (e.g., fluoropolymer), and the continuously maintaining the dead zone is performed by feeding polymerization inhibitor through the optically transparent member, thereby creating an inhibitor gradient in the dead zone and optionally in at least a portion of the gradient of the polymerization zone. Other approaches for performing CLIP that may be used in the present invention and potentially obviate the need for semi-permeable "windows" or window structures include utilizing liquid interfaces comprising immiscible liquids (see l.robeson, e.samulski et al, Continuous three-dimensional contamination from immiscibility liquids (Continuous three-dimensional fabrication from immiscible liquids), WO 2015/164234, published as U.S. patent application publication No. US 2017/0228618 on 2.10.2015; also published as US 2017/0228618 on 2.7.2.3.3.8.2016), generating oxygen as an inhibitor by electrolysis (see i.craven et al, published as WO 2016/133759.2016), and incorporating magnetically positionable particles to which photoactivators are coupled into polymerizable liquids (see j.roland, WO 2016/145182, published as 2016 9.15.2016).

Other examples of methods and apparatus for performing CLIP include, but are not limited to: batchelder et al, Continuous liquid interface production system with viscocity pump, U.S. patent application publication No. US 2017/0129169(2017, 5/11); sun and Lichkus, Three-dimensional fabrication system for rapid object production, U.S. patent application publication No. US 2016/0288376(2016, 10/6); willis et al, 3D print addition reduction current process (three-dimensional printing adhesion reduction during curing process), U.S. patent application publication No. US 2015/0360419 (12/17/2015); lin et al, Intelligent 3d printing through optimization of 3d print parameters (Intelligent three-dimensional printing by optimizing three-dimensional printing parameters), U.S. patent application publication No. US 2015/0331402 (11/19/2015); and d.castanon, Stereolithography System, U.S. patent application publication No. US 2017/0129167 (5 months and 11 days 2017).

In some cases, an object formed of resin by additive manufacturing as described above has residual, unpolymerized or partially polymerized resin on its surface, which must be cleaned or rinsed from the object as described further below.

And (4) cleaning the liquid.

Cleaning liquids that may be used to perform the present invention include, but are not limited to, water, organic solvents, and combinations thereof (e.g., in combination as co-solvents), optionally containing additional ingredients such as surfactants, chelating agents (ligands), enzymes, borax, dyes or colorants, fragrances, and the like, including combinations thereof. The cleaning liquid may be in any suitable form, such as a solution, emulsion, colloid, and the like.

In some preferred embodiments, where the residual resin has a boiling point of at least 90 or 100 ℃ (e.g., up to 250 or 300 ℃ or more), the wash liquid has a boiling point of at least 30 ℃, but not more than 80 or 90 ℃. The boiling point is given herein for a pressure of 1 bar or 1 atmosphere.

Examples of organic solvents that may be used as the cleaning liquid or as a component of the cleaning liquid include, but are not limited to, alcohols, esters, dibasic esters, ketones, acids, aromatics, hydrocarbons, ethers, dipolar aprotic, halides, and basic organic solvents, including combinations thereof. Solvents may be selected based in part on their environmental and health impact (see, e.g., GSK solvent selection guidelines 2009).

In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid may be an aqueous solution of a mixture of ethoxyethanol, sodium citrate, N, N-bis (carboxymethyl) -L-glutamate tetrasodium, sodium carbonate, citric acid, and isothiazolinone. One specific example of this is SIMPLE GREEN @ general purpose detergent (U.S. California, Huntington beach, Sunshine Maker Co., Ltd.) used alone or in admixture with additional water.

In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid may be an aqueous solution comprising 2-butoxyethanol, sodium metasilicate, and sodium hydroxide. One specific example of this is the PURPLE POWER ™ degreaser/cleaner (US, south Carolina, Greenville, Aiken chemical Co.), used alone or in admixture with additional water.

In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid may be ethyl lactate, either alone or with a cosolvent. One specific example thereof is the BIO-SOLV-solvent substitute (Bio branches, Inc., Cincinnamminsen, N.J.) used alone or in admixture with water.

In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid consists of a 50:50 (vol: vol) solution of water and an ethanol organic solvent such as isopropanol (2-propanol).

Examples of hydrofluorocarbon solvents which may be used in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5, 5-decafluoropentane (Vertrel XF, DuPont Chemours), 1,1,1,3, 3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3, 3-pentafluorobutane and the like.

Examples of hydrochlorofluorocarbon solvents that may be used in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, 3-dichloro-1, 1,1,2, 2-pentafluoropropane, 1, 3-dichloro-1, 1,2,2, 3-pentafluoropropane, 1, 1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane, and the like, including mixtures thereof.

Examples of hydrofluoroether solvents that may be used to perform the present invention include, but are not limited to: methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (HFE-7100), methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether (HFE-7100), ethyl nonafluorobutyl ether (HFE-7200), ethyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether (HFE-7200), 1,2, 2-tetrafluoroethyl-2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl ether, and the like, including mixtures thereof. Commercially available examples of such solvents include Novec 7100(3M), Novec 7200 (3M).

Examples of volatile methyl siloxane solvents that may be used to carry out the present invention include, but are not limited to, hexamethyldisiloxane (OS-10, Dow Corning), octamethyltrisiloxane (OS-20, Dow Corning), decamethyltetrasiloxane (OS-30, Dow Corning), and the like, including mixtures thereof.

Other siloxane solvents (e.g., NAVSSOLVE ™ solvents) that can be used in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,897,558.

In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid comprises an azeotrope comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of: a first organic solvent (e.g., a hydrofluorocarbon solvent, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon solvent, a hydrochloroether solvent, a methyl siloxane solvent, or a combination thereof; e.g., in an amount of from 80 or 85 to 99 percent by weight), and a second organic solvent (e.g., a C1-C4 or C6 alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, t-butanol, etc.; e.g., in an amount of from 1 to 15 or 20 percent by weight). Additional ingredients such as surfactants or chelating agents may optionally be included. In some embodiments, the azeotropic cleaning liquid may provide excellent cleaning characteristics and/or enhanced recyclability of the cleaning liquid. Additional examples of suitable azeotropic cleaning liquids include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. patent nos. 6,008,179; 6,426,327, respectively; 6,753,304, respectively; 6,288,018, respectively; 6,646,020, respectively; 6,699,829, respectively; 5,824,634, respectively; 5,196,137, respectively; 6,689,734, respectively; and 5,773,403, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

A cleaning method and apparatus.

Apparatuses for cleaning parts produced by additive manufacturing are known and can be modified according to known techniques for use in the present invention. (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,248,456; 5,482,659, 6,660,208; 6,996,245; and 8,529,703). However, many such parts washers are not suitable for cleaning a large number of a much wider variety of parts having a much wider variety of material properties. Therefore, the overall cleaning speed is preferably accelerated by: use of higher volume liquid exchange pumps and/or pneumatic liquid exchange; rapid drainage of fluid, such as by gravity assistance; more aggressive agitation, such as by causing the objects to be cleaned to rotate in the cleaning liquid (e.g., while they are still mounted on the carrier plate on which they are produced), by including a "drying" step, such as by draining the cleaning liquid and spinning the objects in air to centrifugally remove residual resin and cleaning liquid from the objects; optionally by submerging the object in the cleaning liquid and repeating the cleaning procedure, etc. Additional sources of agitation, such as ultrasonic agitation, can also be provided.

A fixture and method.

As hierarchical simplification has become important in supply chains and other economic transactions, simplifying assembly lines has also become important in manufacturing. Processes such as heat staking, adhesive and/or sealant dispensing and curing, and vibratory or ultrasonic welding of component parts together add complexity and cost to many manufacturing processes. The present invention allows for simplification of these processes by utilizing the combination of prototype (green) parts and heat curing steps to possibly merge these processes to a large extent, by simply fixing at least one additional component part to the prototype's additive manufactured component part prior to heat curing.

A non-limiting example for a fixation device (200) of the present invention is schematically shown in fig. 13. In general, the fixing station or apparatus may include an alignment assembly (typically at least one guide (such as an alignment jig (201)), a clamping device (including mechanical and suction clamping devices such as a vacuum table (202)), or a combination thereof) for receiving and securing the first component part (32), operatively associated with a suitable coupling assembly (e.g., a chuck such as a pneumatic chuck for stretching and releasing the part; a press (203) such as a robotic arm, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic press, or the like, optionally equipped with a vacuum chuck (204); or the like, including combinations of the foregoing) for contacting the first part with at least one additional component part (232) after the first part has been received or secured into the alignment assembly. Pressure on the bonding surface (211) may be maintained through the further curing or baking process by any suitable means, such as by a clamping fixture that clamps the parts together, by an internal locking force between the parts (such as by an interference fit (214)), by weight applied to the bonding surface (including external weight and weight inherent to the object itself), and so forth, including combinations of the foregoing. The amount of pressure exerted on the bonding surfaces will depend on various factors, such as the materials being bonded, the shape and smoothness of the surfaces, whether reshaping of the additively manufactured part is desired during further curing, etc., but in general will be from half a pound per square inch, or one pound per square inch, up to ten or twenty pounds per square inch (e.g., where reshaping is not desired), or up to fifty or one hundred pounds per square inch or more (e.g., where reshaping of the additively manufactured part is desired during further curing).

The transfer of the component parts to and from the fixed station may be performed manually or with any suitable equipment (e.g., conveyors, shuttles, robotic arms, and the like, including combinations thereof).

While the illustrative embodiment of fig. 13 shows a press with a vacuum chuck positioned above the clamping device assembly, an alternative embodiment would utilize a vacuum table equipped with an alignment fixture positioned below the press or between air chucks configured to stretch an additive manufactured part and release the additive manufactured part onto another part.

The first component part or the additional component part (or both) may be additive manufactured (e.g. by stereolithography, such as by CLIP). In the case of additive manufacturing, the component parts may be held on or separated from a carrier platform on which they are additively manufactured.

In some embodiments, one of the component parts (e.g., the additional part) may be formed from a different material and/or by a different technique than the additively manufactured component part. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, metals (including metal alloys; e.g., steel, bronze, brass, iron, nickel, titanium, aluminum, etc.), inorganic materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, etc.), carbon fibers (e.g., carbon fiber composites), polymers (e.g., polycarbonate, polyethylene, etc.), and composites of the foregoing. Examples of suitable techniques include, but are not limited to, forging, casting, injection molding, machining, and the like, including combinations thereof.

Many possible embodiments may be implemented, specific examples of which include, but are not limited to, the following:

-fixing two different additively manufactured parts together by pressing. The various parts may be formed from different resins with compatible chemistries and heat cure arrangements (recipes), for example, elastic polyurethane to rigid polyurethane;

-fixing a connecting piece, such as a threaded metal insert, into a corresponding socket in a prototype additive manufactured part by pressing;

-fixing by pressing a prototype grid structure formed by additive manufacturing to one or more preformed, outer, partial or complete shell parts (aluminium alloy, carbon fibre composite, etc.);

-fixing a prototype sealing bead produced by additive manufacturing to a prefabricated part by pressing to establish a face seal on the part;

fixing a prototype sealing bead produced by additive manufacturing to a prefabricated part by stretching and releasing (for example, with a pneumatic chuck) to establish a radial seal on the part.

It is noted that many of the foregoing techniques can reshape the additively manufactured component part during a further curing or baking step, when desired: for example, from a "prototype" configuration optimized for the additive manufacturing steps to a configuration that is preferred for the finished composite article.

Securing the component parts together may be performed before or after (preferably after) cleaning of one or more parts of the additive manufacturing, and before or after other steps such as removing the support from the additive manufactured parts.

In a preferred embodiment, the fixing together of the component parts is performed prior to the heating or baking step.

Further curing (baking) methods and apparatus.

Further curing of the part may be performed by any suitable technique, but is typically performed by heating, which may be active heating (e.g., in an oven, such as an electric, gas, solar, or microwave oven, or combinations thereof). The furnace (48) may be a batch or continuous (conveyor) furnace as is well known in the art, but for simplicity, a batch furnace is shown in the figures herein.

In some embodiments, conveyor ovens are preferred, including multi-zone conveyor ovens and multi-heat source conveyor ovens and associated carriers for objects, which may be used to provide more uniform or regular heating of the objects being cured. The design of conveyor furnaces and associated controllers is well known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. patent nos. 4,951,648; 5,179,265, respectively; 5,197,375, respectively; and 6,799,712.

In some embodiments, the heating (baking) step or procedure is performed at least a first (oven) temperature and a second (oven) temperature, wherein the first temperature is greater than ambient temperature, the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and the second temperature is less than 300 ℃ (e.g., with a gradual or stepwise increase between ambient and first temperatures and/or between the first and second temperatures).

For example, the intermediate may be heated in a stepwise manner at a first temperature of about 70 ℃ to about 150 ℃ and then at a second temperature of about 150 ℃ to 200 or 250 ℃, with the duration of each heating depending on the resin chemistry, size, shape, and/or thickness of the intermediate. In another embodiment, the intermediate may be cured by a graduated heating schedule, where the temperature is graduated from ambient temperature through a temperature of 70 to 150 ℃ and up to a final (furnace) temperature of 250 or 300 ℃ with a change in heating rate of 0.5 ℃ per minute to 5 ℃ per minute. (see, e.g., U.S. patent No. 4,785,075).

In some embodiments, the oven may include a rotating rack or rotating grill for objects and/or convection elements to facilitate uniform heating.

In some embodiments, the oven may include a light source, such as an ultraviolet light source, to further photocure the components therein during the thermal curing stage.

In some embodiments, the oven may include a gas source configured to purge the oven with an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen, argon) during baking of the objects therein at atmospheric pressure levels, elevated or reduced pressure levels (to achieve depletion of ambient oxygen during baking of the parts); in other embodiments, the oven may include a gas source (e.g., compressed oxygen; an oxygen generator or concentrator) configured to enrich the atmosphere in the oven with oxygen during baking of the objects therein; in still other embodiments, the oven may include both of the aforementioned gas sources. The selection of the gas source and/or gas pressure used to achieve oxygen depletion or oxygen enrichment during baking can depend on the particular resin from which the object is produced.

The oven will typically include a ventilation duct connected to a ventilation system. In some embodiments, the vent includes a sensor or detector for detecting one or more vapors, such as solvents and/or diluents, "released in gas" from the object baked therein. The detector may be operatively associated with the system described herein to provide data characterizing the object, or to provide an indication of when the toasting is complete (which may automatically stop the toasting cycle). In addition, the vent may include an accumulation or "blockage" detector to alert a user when the vent or ventilation system has an undesirable level of deposits thereon.

Additional peripheral machines.

Although the invention has been described primarily with reference to parts washing machines, stationary stations and furnaces as peripheral devices to an additive manufacturing machine, other peripheral machines may also be used.

For example, a pre-production machine (when it is not a component of the additive manufacturing machine itself) may be included that includes a resin dispenser and/or a blending machine (as mentioned separately). In some embodiments, the resin dispenser and/or blending machine may be a mobile resin dispenser and/or blending machine that delivers resin on demand to a fleet of additive manufacturing machines.

Other pre-production machines or maintenance machines may also be included in the system described herein. For example, when a replaceable build plate (window or "cassette") is used, periodic cleaning thereof may be performed (e.g., by immersion in and/or brushing with a suitable solvent such as isopropyl alcohol or a wash liquid as described above). Such a machine (71) can be implemented and automated in a similar manner to the parts washing machine described herein (or in some cases, the parts washing machine can also be used as a cartridge cleaning machine).

Additional examples of post production machines that may be incorporated as peripherals in the systems and methods described herein include, but are not limited to: part penetrant bath equipment (e.g., for dipping additional polymerizable components into the part after additive manufacturing but before further or subsequent curing), part cutting, grinding, and/or finishing machines (e.g., sand blasting, milling, tumbling, painting, etc.).

A support removal device. In certain examples and as included in the embodiment of fig. 10, the post-processing apparatus may be a support removal apparatus (220). Such equipment may include a part unique identification reader and/or a build plate unique identification reader (221) configured to identify a particular part (33) received by the equipment. Such apparatus may also include clamping devices, guides, and/or other suitable alignment components (e.g., a pneumatic chuck (222) on a turntable (223) including a turntable drive (227), as shown in fig. 14) to actively orient the part in a known orientation (optionally, but in some embodiments preferably still mounted on the carrier plate (44)) in response to instructions from the controller (220'). The controller may then be configured to select a tool from a series of tools, for example, a cutting or grinding tool (224), such as a laser cutter for fitting onto a robotic arm (225), as shown in fig. 14, guide the tool to a suitable location, and activate the tool to a predetermined power setting to remove the support structure (226) based on known structures and features, such as hardness, strength, toughness, softening point of the object and support structure, thus obviating the need for optical detection and identification of the support during its removal (although these may still be included if desired).

A unique identifier and a reader.

As used herein, "unique identifier" and "unique identifier reader" refer to components of an automatic identification and data capture system. Suitable unique identifiers include, but are not limited to: barcodes (including one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes), Near Field Communication (NFC) tags, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags (including active, passive, and battery assisted passive RFID tags), Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tags and readers, magnetic stripes and readers, and the like. In, for example, U.S. patent nos. 8,120,468; 8,526,910, respectively; 9,373,201, respectively; 9,562,429, respectively; 9,576,476, respectively; 9,587,487, respectively; 9,589,428, respectively; and 9,595,058. As discussed further below, a variety of different types of unique identifiers and their corresponding readers may be utilized at various points of the integrated system described herein.

An integrated system.

Non-limiting examples of integrated systems and methods encompassed by the present invention are given in fig. 1-12 herein.

As shown in fig. 1A-1B, it will be understood that different unique identifiers (101, 102, 103, 104, 105) may be used at different points in the systems and methods described herein. For example, when manufacturing resin, the NFC tag, RFID tag, and/or barcode (101) may be best suited for placement on or association with a resin container, with an associated reader operatively associated with a resin dispenser or supply (41) system into which resin (31) is to be loaded by a resin user. When making resin, the resin manufacturer may optionally utilize an associated reader to enter the resin type, batch recipe data, and/or manufacturer identity into the database (see, e.g., fig. 2A-2B).

Similarly, where resin is dispensed into a movable build plate (42) (also sometimes referred to as a "window" or "cassette") that is then transferred with the resin into an additive manufacturing machine, then an NFC tag, RFID tag, and/or barcode (102) may be best suited for association with that build plate or cassette, with an associated reader at the resin dispenser (41) and/or at the additive manufacturing machine (43) configured to capture the build plate identity and associate it with the resin data in a database. Non-limiting examples of resin dispensing data include those set forth in fig. 2C. Thus, "specific resin data" may include, for example, resin type data and resin batch data (non-limiting examples of which are given in fig. 2A-2B), optionally supplemented with resin dispense data (non-limiting examples of which are given in fig. 2C).

When a part or object (32) is additively manufactured on a removable carrier plate (44), the carrier plate may have its own suitable unique identification (103), such as an NFC tag, an RFID tag and/or a barcode, and suitable readers on the additive manufacturing machine (43) and the washing machine (45) to record additive production data (see, e.g., fig. 3).

Each part (32) produced on the additive manufacturing machine can also have its own unique identifier (104) (e.g., a set of alphanumeric characters and/or symbols appearing on its surface or elsewhere) which can be imparted by any suitable technique, including routines in the machine controller for modifying each product geometry data file and recording the unique identifier associated with the part (e.g., along with other resin and part production data) just prior to and/or during part production. Non-limiting examples of such routines are given in fig. 4A-4B, and as discussed further below. In some embodiments, modifying the product geometry data file may include incorporating a unique identifier into the product geometry data file such that the unique identifier is structurally incorporated into the manufactured part. As used herein, structurally incorporated means that the unique identifier is formed into the structure of the part during manufacture, as opposed to a unique identifier added at a later production. For example, the unique identifier may be included (e.g., raised and/or concavely formed) in a surface of the manufactured part. In some embodiments, the unique identifier may be incorporated inside the structure of the manufactured part such that it is not directly visible from external inspection of the part.

As previously mentioned, the parts washing machine (45) may be configured to perform a variety of different washing procedures (as may be best suited to objects made in a particular configuration and/or from a particular resin), a non-limiting example of which is given in fig. 5. When a part is to be cleaned on a carrier platform on which the part is produced (as shown in fig. 1), the cleaning machine may include a suitable identification reader for recording the part being cleaned, as well as part cleaning step data for that particular part (see, e.g., fig. 6). If the cleaning procedure is not preset (as may be the case for higher volumetric throughput of similar parts), the cleaning machine may be configured to select an appropriate cleaning procedure for each part based on information in the database regarding part configuration and/or resin type.

In some embodiments, the cleaning machine (45) may dynamically determine an appropriate cleaning program for the part based on reading the unique identification associated with the part. Suitable cleaning procedures may be based on part geometry, part materials, and/or other information retrieved using unique identifiers. In some embodiments, the cleaning machine may be configured to dynamically switch from a first cleaning program for a first part to a second cleaning program for a second part based on respective first and second unique identifications associated with the first and second parts. As used herein, dynamically switching a washing program means that the characteristics (e.g., intensity and/or duration) of the washing program used by the washing machine may be modified, without additional intervention by an operator and/or program, based in part on the unique identification associated with the part being washed. In some embodiments, a cleaning program utilized by a cleaning machine for parts may be determined when a unique identifier associated with the part is read by a suitable identifier reader and compared to a database containing cleaning information for a given part.

In a similar manner, the oven (48) may be configured to perform a variety of different baking procedures (again, as may be best suited for objects made with a particular configuration and/or with a particular resin). Here, the part may be removed from its carrier platform (particularly where the NFC tag is not heat resistant), but may be moved to a transfer tray (47) on a transfer station, where the transfer tray includes a more heat stable unique identifier (such as a barcode) (105), and the transfer station includes readers for both the carrier plate and the transfer tray (to associate a particular part with a particular tray in the database), and the oven (48) may include a reader and/or scanner for the transfer tray unique identifier (to associate oven data with each particular tray, and thus each particular part, in the database). Of course, multiple parts may be included on each disc, and other formats may be employed. For example, a sacrificial unique identifier (such as an NFC tag) may be secured to or associated with a part as it enters the oven and, despite being damaged during the baking procedure, can still be utilized to associate a particular part with a particular oven, baking procedure and operator, or other curing step information in a database (see, e.g., fig. 8). As with the washer, the oven may be configured to perform a variety of different curing (particularly baking) program options, as shown in fig. 7. If the bake out program is not preset (as is also possible for higher volumetric throughput of similar parts), the oven may be configured to select an appropriate bake out program for each part based on information about the part configuration and/or resin type in the database. In some embodiments, as discussed herein with respect to washing machines, an appropriate baking program for a part may be dynamically selected at the time of baking based on a unique identification associated with the part that is read or otherwise accessed by the oven. In some embodiments, the oven may be configured to switch between a first set of curing options (see, e.g., fig. 7) and a second set of curing options for the oven based on a unique identification associated with a given part.

In some embodiments, when preparing parts for curing, one or more parts may be selected for simultaneous curing based in part on the unique identification for the respective parts. For example, when transferring parts from a carrier platform to a transfer tray, one or more parts sharing a curing configuration may be determined based on a unique identification for the parts. In this case, parts sharing a curing configuration may be combined, such as by including the parts on the same transfer tray, or loading the parts separately into the oven at the same time so that they can be cured simultaneously. In some embodiments, for example, when curing is after cleaning, the system controller may identify parts sharing a curing configuration during the cleaning step (or other step prior to curing), and may schedule simultaneous curing of one or more parts ahead of time. In some embodiments, the order in which parts are cured may not match the order in which parts are cleaned and/or manufactured, as the parts are moved forward or backward in order to assemble the parts for curing. This combination of parts may allow the manufacturing process to dynamically schedule curing to more efficiently utilize curing equipment by combining parts that cure for similar amounts of time at similar temperatures.

And also in a similar manner, in a support removal station such as that shown schematically in fig. 14, a tool mounted on the robotic arm may be guided by a suitable controller to separate the support from the part (e.g. by cutting) based on the known geometry of the part (as identified at the support removal station by a unique identification reader for the part itself or the carrier plate on which the part is produced).

In the case where the part has a unique identification formed thereon (such as an alphanumeric and/or symbolic indicator as mentioned above), the washer, oven, or other peripheral machine may simply include a camera for recording this information from the particular part, which may be added to the database in addition to or instead of some of the unique identification options described above. In some embodiments, the unique identifier may be formed on a portion of the part removed by the support removal station. In some embodiments, the unique identifier may be formed on a portion of the part that remains after manufacture. In some embodiments, the unique identifier may include a combination of sections, some of which are removed by the support removal station after manufacture, and some of which remain on the part.

The part is uniquely identified. As mentioned above, a part unique identification may be imparted to a part by a system as described in fig. 4A-4B. This unique identifier may be physically formed on the surface or other location of the part, chemically or photochemically formed on or within the part, or by any other suitable technique. The unique identifier may be arbitrary (e.g., simply a continuous or non-continuous number of the part), or may include specific information about the manufacturing process of the part. Examples of such specific information that may be included within the uniquely identified portion include, but are not limited to:

(A) an additive manufacturing device (or "printer") specific identity;

(B) item number (i.e., common number assigned to all similar or related parts);

(C) print number (i.e., a number uniquely assigned to a particular part);

(D) build platform and/or window box position identity (i.e., an indication of a particular location on a "window" on which a particular part is produced, particularly useful when multiple parts are produced simultaneously on the same build platform at the same time);

(E) the unique identity of the window box;

(F) the production date;

(G) resin type and/or identity.

For example, in one embodiment, the part unique identifier may comprise a set of characters comprising A-B-C-D, as defined above. In another embodiment, the part unique identifier may comprise a set of characters comprising C-E-F, as defined above. In some embodiments, the part unique identifier may be a sequence of alphanumeric characters and/or symbols from which, as defined above, a-G may be retrieved from a database using the sequence of alphanumeric characters and/or symbols. Many combinations of the foregoing or other features will be apparent, and specific embodiments will depend on the field and use of the particular part being made.

Fig. 4A is a flow diagram schematically illustrating one process of assigning and generating an individual object with a unique identification for the object by additive manufacturing. In some embodiments, the object may be a part to be manufactured by additive manufacturing. For example, as shown in fig. 4A, a process for assigning and generating individual objects with unique identifications may include initial object data as input. The initial object data may be, for example, a part geometry file or other instruction set for generating a part by additive manufacturing. Further, the process may include a unique identifier generator configured to generate a unique identifier. As used herein, "unique" does not necessarily mean that the identification is universally unique. For example, the unique identifier may be unique to a given manufacturer, a given part, a given manufacturing facility, and the like. As used herein, a unique identifier is one in which a given part can be uniquely identified as determined by a particular manufacturing environment. In some embodiments, the unique identifier generator may include a software program configured to generate a unique identifier based on one or more characteristics of the manufactured part, as discussed herein.

For a particular manufactured part, the initial object data (111) for the part may be combined with the unique identifier from the unique identifier generator (112) to generate individual object data. The individual object data may, for example, identify a particular manufactured part instance described by the initial object data. Once generated, the individual object data may be recorded in a database (114). Future operations performed on the part during and outside of manufacturing may be associated with the individual object data. In some embodiments, the individual object data may include a unique sequence of alphanumeric characters and/or symbols. In some embodiments, data associated with individual objects during manufacture may be stored in a database associated with unique sequences of alphanumeric characters and/or symbols. For example, after generating the individual object data for the part, the part may be manufactured (115). As discussed herein, during the manufacture of a part, data associated with the manufacturing process may be stored in a database and associated with individual object data.

Fig. 4B is a flow diagram of the particular embodiment of fig. 4A. As shown in fig. 4B, an additive manufacturing process (300) for a part according to an embodiment of the invention may include a design portion (310), a production portion (320), and a recording portion (330). During the design portion (310), an initial set of object data (312) may be generated for the part to be manufactured. In some embodiments, the initial object data (312) may be generated using design software, such as computer-aided design (CAD) software, although the invention is not limited thereto. Such CAD software can generate data files that can be used during a manufacturing step to additively manufacture a part, such as via a CLIP process. In some embodiments, the part may be represented in the initial object data (312) in various formats, such as by a plurality of polygons (e.g., triangles) and/or other forms of boundary representation (B-representation), although the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the initial object data (312) may include data represented in a format used in stereolithography, such as a.stl file.

During the production portion (320), a unique identifier (322) may be generated. In some embodiments, the unique identifier (322) may be a serial Identifier (ID) that consists of alphanumeric numbers and/or symbols. During a print pre-processing step of production, the initial object data file (312) may be decomposed into a set of part image sequences (314). In some embodiments, this may be accomplished by performing a rasterization process on the initial object data file (312). Further, the generated sequence ID (322) may be decomposed into a series of sequence ID image sequences (324). These image sequences may be used by the additive manufacturing system to additively manufacture the part and/or the sequence ID (322). In some embodiments, the sequence of part images (314) may be used to configure the additive manufacturing system to manufacture the part, and the sequence ID image sequence (324) may be used to configure the additive manufacturing system to manufacture the sequence ID (322) (e.g., as a unique identifier). The system controller may be configured to combine the part image sequence (314) and the sequence ID image sequence (324) into at least one fused image sequence (326). The fused image sequence (326) may be used to configure an additive manufacturing system to manufacture a part (328) with a sequence ID (322) on or within the part (328).

To generate the fused image sequence (326), the controller may be configured to select a location on or within the part (328) to place the sequence ID (322). The location may be based on the geometry of the surface of the part (328), the preferred location of the serial ID (322), and/or other characteristics of the part (328) and/or the manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the location for the serial ID (322) may be included as part of the initial object data (312). For example, the initially generated CAD file (312) may include a container (e.g., placeholder) for the sequence ID (322) to be generated. In some embodiments, the location may be determined dynamically. In some embodiments, the location for the sequence ID (322) may be based on criteria such as whether the given location is in an aesthetically critical area and/or whether the given location is accessible for inspection (e.g., by the human eye and/or a machine reader).

In some embodiments, generating the fused image sequence (326) may include altering the initial part geometry to place the sequence ID (322) on or within the part (328). In some embodiments, the fused image sequence (326) will be different from the part image sequence (314). In other words, a part (328) additively manufactured according to the fused image sequence (326) will be different from a part additively manufactured according to the part image sequence (314) (e.g., the sequence ID (322) will be included on or within the part (328)).

During the recording portion (340) of the process, the generated sequence ID (322) may be uploaded (332) to a database (342). Subsequent operations related to the part (328) may be associated with the generated serial ID (322) in the database (342), as discussed herein. For example, the additive manufacturing process may manufacture the part (328) based on the fused image sequence (326). When the part (328) is manufactured, data associated with the manufacturing process may be recorded in the database (342) in association with the serial ID (322) generated for the part (328) (e.g., as a unique identification). In this manner, data associated with the manufacture of the part (328), such as, for example, a printer configuration, a resin configuration, etc., may be associated with the part (328) for later retrieval (344). As shown in fig. 4B, the recorded data associated with part (328) may be collected prior to manufacturing part (328) (e.g., during pre-production) and/or during manufacturing. In some embodiments, recording may continue after manufacture of the part, such as recording information related to transportation of the part (328), sale of the part (328), and/or customer feedback associated with the part (328) (see fig. 11).

And (5) system architecture. Non-limiting examples of system architectures are given in fig. 9-11. However, it will be understood that any of a variety of different architectures may be employed. The controller (41 ', 43 ', 45 ', 48 ', 60 ', 150 ', 170 ', 200 ', 220 ') may be: a general purpose computer dedicated to or onboard a particular device; a local general purpose computer operatively associated with a group of machines via a local area network (or metropolitan area network) (see, e.g., fig. 9A); a remote general purpose computer operatively associated with the machine via a wide area network or internet connection (see, e.g., fig. 10; system 160); and combinations thereof (e.g., organized in a client-server architecture and/or a distributed architecture).

Peripherals for data input and display can be implemented in any of a variety of ways known in the art, including typical keypad inputs, video displays and printing devices (152, 173), and graphical user interfaces such as touch pads, touch screens, and the like, including smart phone touch screens.

The controller may be implemented using hardware, software implemented using hardware, firmware, a tangible computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, and/or a combination thereof, and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. The controller may also utilize virtual computer instances. Thus, the apparatus and methods described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware and software, which may all be referred to herein collectively as a "circuit," module, "" component, "and/or" system. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a suitable optical fiber with a relay, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or as part of a carrier wave). Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. The computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that: which is not a computer-readable storage medium and which is capable of communicating, propagating, or transporting a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

In some embodiments, the controller may include at least one processor. The at least one processor of the controller may be configured to execute computer program code for performing operations for aspects of the present invention, which may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including: object-oriented programming languages such as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C + +, C #, VB.NET, and the like; conventional procedural programming languages, such as "C" programming language, Visual Basic, Fortran 2003, COBOL 2002, PHP, ABAP; dynamic programming languages such as Python, PERL, Ruby, and Groovy, or other programming languages.

The at least one processor may be or include one or more programmable general or special purpose microprocessors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), programmable controllers, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs), or a combination of such or similar devices, which may be arranged or distributed across one or more data networks.

The data storage or memory (151, 171) of the controller may be on separate (volatile and/or non-volatile) memory devices, locally or remotely located, partitions of a single memory device, etc., including combinations thereof (e.g., remote backup memory in addition to local memory). For example, the databases referred to herein may be one or more databases stored locally or remotely at the controller. In some embodiments, the database may be accessible remotely by the controller.

Because multiple different manufacturers may use resin from a common supplier, a higher level of system integration may be desired, as shown in fig. 11. Here, a resin supplier (showing "a", but may include additional) may input resin type and batch data into a master database (182, 183), which master database (182, 183) may be shared across a plurality of separate additive manufacturing systems (showing "a", "B", and "C", but may include additional). Also, because end user feedback (either solicited for investigation or voluntary) or further chain of sales information may be useful to the manufacturer, input/output devices (185, 186), such as a smartphone application, or a program running on a remote computer, etc., may be included for adding customer feedback and usage information about a particular part to the database (end user "a" is shown, but may include additional). Reports from such a system for a particular part may include some or all of the fields of information shown in fig. 12. Because product configuration data (e.g., stl files) or other manufacturing information (in some cases, production procedures, cleaning procedures, and/or baking procedures) may be owned by a particular manufacturer, the controller may be configured so that the information is excluded or automatically edited for reporting by other participants, such as end users, or when the master report contains information across different manufacturers. Alternatively, the information may be segregated or separated on the data storage such that it is never available to such end users or primary reports in the first place.

A robot. Transfer of the workpiece, such as transfer of the carrier platform from the additive manufacturing apparatus to the washing apparatus, transfer of the carrier platform from the washing apparatus to the curing apparatus, transfer of the build plate from the additive manufacturing apparatus to the cleaning instrument, transfer of the resin cartridge to the additive manufacturing apparatus, and the like, may be performed manually, by a robot (60), or a combination thereof. The system for robotic transfer may be implemented according to known techniques employed in robotic manufacturing systems, or variations thereof that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. See, for example, U.S. patent nos. 6,627,016; 6,694,224, respectively; 7,146,705, respectively; 8,651,160, respectively; 8,668,423, respectively; and 9,351,569.

Although fig. 9A-11 describe a system utilizing a CLIP additive manufacturing apparatus, it is contemplated that any suitable additive manufacturing apparatus may be used in the system described herein, including but not limited to other apparatuses for bottom-up or top-down stereolithography, as generally discussed in section 2 above. In the case of CLIP equipment, some such equipment employs atmospheric oxygen as the polymerization inhibitor, while others employ an oxygen source (e.g., oxygen-enriched gas) as the polymerization inhibitor. The oxygen source may be oxygen enriched compressed gas, an oxygen generator, an oxygen concentrator, or any other suitable supply source located in or associated with each machine, or a shared source (411) such as shown in fig. 9B, or a bottled oxygen, distributed oxygen supply on each machine. Similarly, because the oxygen concentration in the resin during operation of the CLIP apparatus may be sensitive to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, a barometric pressure sensor (412) may be associated with each machine (as also shown in fig. 9B), or a shared sensor may be employed, or atmospheric oxygen or atmospheric pressure data obtained via an external source such as the world wide web. Such data may be used by each CLIP device at a particular location to further enrich or deplete the oxygen supplied to each machine, such as by metering the flow of enriched oxygen gas to the build surface, window or window box of a particular device. See generally PCT application publication nos. WO/2018/006029 to b.fuller, d.moore et al and WO/2018/006018 to b.fuller, d.moore et al.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims

1. An integrated additive manufacturing system, comprising:

a processor;

a data repository comprising a database configured to record part configuration data for parts produced by the integrated additive manufacturing system;

an additive manufacturing machine configured to manufacture a part by additive manufacturing;

a memory coupled to the processor and comprising computer readable program code;

a part image sequence obtaining module configured to obtain a sequence of part images comprising instructions for additive manufacturing a part on the additive manufacturing system;

a unique identifier generation module configured to generate a unique identifier associated with the part; and

a part image sequence modification module configured to modify the part image sequence to produce a fused image sequence comprising instructions for generating a manufactured part on the additive manufacturing machine, wherein a representation of a unique identification is contained on or within the manufactured part;

wherein the part image sequence obtaining module, the unique identifier generating module, and the part image sequence modifying module are operatively associated with each other.

2. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the unique identifier comprises an alphanumeric character and/or symbol.

3. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a unique signature image sequence obtaining module configured to obtain a unique signature image sequence comprising instructions for additive manufacturing a representation of the unique signature on the additive manufacturing system, and

wherein modifying the sequence of part images to produce a fused sequence of images includes fusing the sequence of part images with the sequence of unique identification images.

4. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the database is further configured to store the unique identifier in the database.

5. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 1 or 2 further configured to manufacture the part on the additive manufacturing machine using the fused sequence of images.

6. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 5 wherein the database is further configured to store part configuration data associated with the manufacture of the part in the database.

7. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 6 wherein the part configuration data in the database associated with the manufacture of the part comprises resin data associated with a resin used to manufacture the part.

8. An integrated additive manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a camera configured to optically capture a unique identifier contained on or within a manufactured part.

9. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a parts washing machine,

wherein the parts washing machine is configured to select a washing program for the manufactured parts based on the unique identification associated with the parts.

10. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 9 wherein the part configuration data contained in the database further comprises cleaning data associated with a cleaning program used by the part cleaning machine.

11. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a curing machine,

wherein the curing machine is configured to select a curing program for the manufactured part based on the unique identification associated with the part.

12. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 11 wherein the part configuration data contained in the database further comprises curing data associated with a curing program used by the curing machine.

13. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the manufactured part is a first manufactured part,

wherein the fused image sequence is a first fused image sequence,

wherein the unique identifier is a first unique identifier, and

wherein the integrated additive manufacturing system further comprises:

a second unique identifier generation module configured to generate a second unique identifier associated with the part; and

a second part image sequence modification module configured to modify a sequence of part images to produce a second fused sequence of images different from the first fused sequence of images, the second fused sequence of images including instructions for generating a second manufactured part on the additive manufacturing machine, wherein the representation of the second unique identification is contained on or within the second manufactured part.

14. The integrated additive manufacturing system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the database is further configured to:

associating a build plate identity of a build plate used to manufacture a part with a unique identifier associated with the part; and

storing the build plate identity in the database.

15. A part manufactured using an integrated additive manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1-14.

16. A manufactured part, characterized in that the part comprises an additive manufactured portion, wherein the additive manufactured portion comprises a unique identifier structurally incorporated into the additive manufactured portion.